Hiring Bid Air Traffic Control Specialist - Trainee: FAA-ATO-18-ALLSRCE-57792

Does anyone know how often new classes start? For instance, do they start up one new class per week or is it more like one every two weeks?

Depends on the track. Generally, a new Enroute class starts almost every week, while Terminal classes might start every 2-3. You can see the complete FAA course catalog at FAA Catalog of Training - the courses you're looking for are 50043 and 50143 for Terminal and Enroute basics, respectively.

I heard all basics courses will be computer based by June.

This is the current plan, yes. You'll spend roughly 7 hours watching videos and multimedia on computers, then an instructor will come in for an hour or so at the end of each day to answer questions. Like everything else, however, it's subject to change - so far the feedback from trial classes has been quite negative.
 
Just curious, would failing a polygraph exam for another agency cause any issues during ATC background? I recently took and was (verbally) told I did not pass a polygraph with an agency that has notoriously low passage rates for said exam. I have a completely clean background and nothing to worry about in reality. Just hope it doesn’t cause issues with FAA clearance...

I wouldn’t worry about it. I failed the polygraph for CBP (ridiculously low pass rate) and although I was told by the examiner that it could affect future clearances and my current Top Secret, my Military security manager told me it has no effect on it because it was for suitability anyways and that most agencies know of their pass rate anyways. If you lost a clearance or were denied a clearance, that’s a different story.
 
Did you other tier 2 vets have "DD214" and "OMPF (Official Military Personnel File) or entire Personnel Records" marked on your SF-180 form to send in? I found it strange they did not check medical records on mine, also they already have my DD214s.
Mine said dd214 and ompf. I downloaded my ompf and sent it in. I'm just waiting for the VA to send me a copy of final decision letter for my VA disability decision.
 
Those of you that are currently employed and had to break the news to your employer, did they require you give an end date? If so, what did you tell them?
I’m in sales and my boss required me give him an end date so that he could start looking for my replacement. I explained that it’s pretty up in the air, but understandably, they aren’t exactly going to accommodate me holding my notice over their heads for weeks or even months ongoing before hiring my replacement
 
Those of you that are currently employed and had to break the news to your employer, did they require you give an end date? If so, what did you tell them?
I’m in sales and my boss required me give him an end date so that he could start looking for my replacement. I explained that it’s pretty up in the air, but understandably, they aren’t exactly going to accommodate me holding my notice over their heads for weeks or even months ongoing before hiring my replacement

Had a meeting with my boss after I told him, he wanted a ball park estimate. I told him July/August when it finally got pushed on me.
 
**Update**
Emailed all my stuff to my med poc. They accepted my downloaded ompf and I called the va and they were able to fax me my final decision letter. POC stated the same that has been said here before, he will send my packet to HQ, but they are very backed up and I shouldn't expect to hear anything for a few months.
 
**Update**
Emailed all my stuff to my med poc. They accepted my downloaded ompf and I called the va and they were able to fax me my final decision letter. POC stated the same that has been said here before, he will send my packet to HQ, but they are very backed up and I shouldn't expect to hear anything for a few months.
Yea same here, I’m assuming that I don’t need to provide anything else and that the flight surgeon already approved my file for TIER 2. Now they’re just preparing my file to go to DC. I’ve been told it could be up to a 6 month wait. But I’ve seen people over in stuckmic from the 2016 bid that are still waiting. Let’s hope that’s not us.
 
Man, I really feel for you guys who got tier 2, I still haven’t heard much so I’m waiting to see if I’ll join you. Hopefully the process goes “smoothly” for you all.

The only good thing I’ve got going is my work is really supportive of me doing this, so they’ll keep me rolling in what I’m doing until something does happen.

Apparently all of my poc’s are on spring break, so it’s a lot of no news here for me. But I won’t complain, they have personal lives too
 
Man, I really feel for you guys who got tier 2, I still haven’t heard much so I’m waiting to see if I’ll join you. Hopefully the process goes “smoothly” for you all.

The only good thing I’ve got going is my work is really supportive of me doing this, so they’ll keep me rolling in what I’m doing until something does happen.

Apparently all of my poc’s are on spring break, so it’s a lot of no news here for me. But I won’t complain, they have personal lives too
Is your security POC RG? I’ve sent her a couple emails and left her a VM without response. An out of office would have been nice but whatevs
 
Is your security POC RG? I’ve sent her a couple emails and left her a VM without response. An out of office would have been nice but whatevs
I haven't gotten a response from my medical POC about my MMPI results either, I emailed her yesterday around noon. My guess is they've been bombarded with emails regarding test results and they have decided not to reply back to anyone. I'm going to leave them alone for now.
 
Is your security POC RG? I’ve sent her a couple emails and left her a VM without response. An out of office would have been nice but whatevs

No, mine is SM. She usually responds by next day, but this is the second time I’ve emailed her since this process started and I’ve gotten an OOF reply ?‍♂️
 
I haven't gotten a response from my medical POC about my MMPI results either, I emailed her yesterday around noon. My guess is they've been bombarded with emails regarding test results and they have decided not to reply back to anyone. I'm going to leave them alone for now.
I emailed on Tuesday about my MMPI and haven’t heard back.
 
My boss received the letter today, and proceeded to shread it. What do you think this does for my future?

I think you’re fine but I could be wrong. I just know that some student’s employers didn’t receive a questionnaire till they were already at the academy. I don’t think it’ll hold you back from receiving a FOL.
 
Those of you that are currently employed and had to break the news to your employer, did they require you give an end date? If so, what did you tell them?
I’m in sales and my boss required me give him an end date so that he could start looking for my replacement. I explained that it’s pretty up in the air, but understandably, they aren’t exactly going to accommodate me holding my notice over their heads for weeks or even months ongoing before hiring my replacement

It just depends on peoples work relationships with their bosses. When I told my boss I was applying for this job, he laghed and said "Yeah right, I know a few controllers, you'll get cut and come crawling back.", then sincerely told me he really hopes I get the job. Not all bosses are dickheads, but a lot can be, I'm pretty grateful to work for a great boss who I can argue with during the day, and go out to drinks and laugh with when its over. He told me he cant blame me for trying to better myself and really hopes I get picked up.
 
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